There’s a reason Christian women feel frustrated about fitness and health goals, and why no matter how many diets, workout plans, or health programs you try, nothing seems to stick.
Maybe you’ve lost weight only to gain it back. Maybe you’re exhausted from starting over every Monday. Maybe you’re trying to take care of everyone else while your own health keeps ending up at the bottom of the list.
I understand because I’ve been there.
For more than 20 years, women have asked me questions about health, fitness, consistency, and how to stay on track.
But over the years, I’ve repeatedly learned something invaluable!
We can do nothing apart from God, not even our fitness.
When God is first, everything else begins to find its proper place.
- Your thoughts.
- Your habits.
- Your food choices.
- Your workouts.
- Your confidence.
- Your priorities.
Today I’m sharing seven simple habits that have helped me put God first in my health for more than two decades. These are the habits I return to again and again, no matter what season of life I’m in.
Why Putting God First in Your Health and Fitness Changes Everything
Most women don’t need another diet. They don’t need another fitness challenge. They don’t need another complicated plan.
What they need is a foundation. Because motivation comes and goes. Life gets busy. Schedules change. Hard seasons come.
And if our health is built on motivation alone, we’ll always find ourselves starting over. But when our health is rooted in our relationship with God, something changes.
Healthy habits stop feeling like punishment. They stop feeling like something we “have” to do.
Instead, they become an opportunity to honor God with the body He has given us.
“Motivation comes and goes. Faithfulness is what keeps you showing up.”
The 7 Ways I Put God First in My Health
1. Word
“My son, be attentive to my words… for they are life to those who find them and healing to all their flesh.”
Proverbs 4:20-22
Everything starts with God’s Word. Before God changed my body, He changed my mind. The Bible became the place where I learned who God is, who I am, and how He wanted me to live.
When I need wisdom, direction, peace, or encouragement, I start there. God’s Word helps me renew my mind, quiet comparison, and stay focused on what truly matters.
Faith-Filled Action Step:
Before you check your phone every morning, read one chapter of Scripture or one verse.
Don’t overcomplicate it. Open your Bible and spend five minutes with God. If you don’t know where to start, read John or Proverbs. Start there. And write down the scriptures in this episode.
2. Worth
“The Lord your God is in your midst… He will rejoice over you with gladness.”
Zephaniah 3:17
So many women are trying to earn their worth. They believe they’ll finally feel good enough when they lose the weight, hit the goal, or look different.
But your worth was settled at the cross. You are already loved, chosen, and accepted in Christ.
When you know your worth, healthy habits become stewardship instead of striving.
“Your worth is not determined by a number on the scale. It was settled at the cross.”
Faith-Filled Action Step: Replace one negative thought with one truth from God’s Word.
The next time you catch yourself criticizing your body, stop and ask yourself, ‘What does God say about me?’ Then speak that truth out loud.
3. Whole God-Made Food
“You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
Psalm 145:16
Food is God’s provision. Not your reward. Not your punishment. Not your enemy.
When we approach food with gratitude instead of guilt, we begin to experience freedom.
Instead of obsessing over perfection, we can focus on nourishing the body God gave us.
One of the healthiest shifts you can make is moving from restriction and fear to gratitude and wisdom.
Faith-Filled Action Step: Build your next meal around protein and something God made.
Not perfection. Just ask yourself, How can I make this meal a little more nourishing? If you are wondering how to invite God into your eating and you need a simple daily answer listen to my podcast https://kimdolanleto.com/podcast/the-christian-7-step-weight-loss-guide-that-really-works/
4. Water
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
Isaiah 12:3
Sometimes we overlook the basics because they’re simple. But simple doesn’t mean insignificant.
God made water for us to drink, because it’s what our bodies needs.
Many times the habits that create the biggest impact are the ones we tend to ignore. Never underestimate the power of consistently doing the simple things well.
Faith-Filled Action Step: Drink a glass of water before coffee tomorrow. Try to get half your body weight in ounces of water a day and add more when you’re working out.
“Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is thank God and take care of the body He gave us.”
5. Work Out
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Movement is a gift. Our bodies were designed to move.
One of my favorite habits is inviting God into my workouts through prayer, worship, and gratitude.
Fitness becomes different when God is part of the process. Workouts stop becoming punishment for what you ate and become gratitude for what your body can do.
Faith-Filled Action Step: Pray before your workout.
Before you start walking, lifting, stretching, or exercising, take thirty seconds and invite God into it. I pray in my car, put my headphones on and tune into my workout music you can find it on Spotify.
6. Worship
“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.”
Isaiah 26:3
Worship shifts our focus from our problems to God’s presence.
Some of my sweetest moments with God have happened during walks, workouts, and quiet moments with worship music.
Worship reminds us what is true when life feels overwhelming.
When anxiety rises, worship will help you refocus on God’s faithfulness.
Faith-Filled Action Step: Put on one worship song today.
If you’re anxious, overwhelmed, discouraged, or distracted, stop what you’re doing and play one worship song. This is my favorite right now, Trust You!
7. Wake & Sleep
“He gives to His beloved sleep.”
Psalm 127:2
Rest is not laziness. Rest is trust. Every night we go to sleep acknowledging that God is still working even when we are not.
Sleep is one of the most overlooked parts of health, yet one of the most important.
Many women focus on nutrition and exercise while neglecting recovery. But God designed our bodies to need rest.
Faith-Filled Action Step: Set a bedtime alarm tonight.
Most of us have alarms to wake up, but what if we had alarms to remind us it’s time to rest?
What I’m Doing Right Now
People often ask what my current routine looks like, so here’s what I’m focusing on in this season:
- Strength training four days a week. My goal is to be strong, not achieve a body type
- Walking every morning and I love the step mill
- Every meal is centered around 30 grams of protein
- Drinking plenty of water, adding LMNT, and Ultima
- Putting myself to sleep before 9 and getting up at 4:00 AM
- Spending time with God before the day begins
These habits aren’t about perfection.
They’re simply the habits that help me show up in a Jesus-confident, Holy Spirit-filled way no matter what’s happening around me.
And I have to share my new little puppy that I mentioned on the podcast. Come say hi on Instagram, and see how cute she is.
What Lasting Transformation Really Looks Like
The women who experience lasting change aren’t usually the women who do everything perfectly.
- They’re the women who keep returning to God.
- When they have a great day, they return to God.
- When they have a hard day, they return to God.
- When they get off track, they return to God.
- When they feel discouraged, they return to God.
That’s where transformation happens.
Not in perfection.
In faithfulness.
“Transformation isn’t a breakthrough moment. It’s a path walked one faithful step at a time.”
Scriptures Mentioned
- Proverbs 4:18
- Proverbs 4:20-22
- Zephaniah 3:17
- Psalm 145:16
- Isaiah 12:3
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
- Isaiah 26:3
- Psalm 127:2
- Zechariah 4:10
Listen to the Episode
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-gods-way-with-kim-dolan-leto-healthy-habits/id1504962677
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ymer79UOqIbItrwPJErxC?si=735f8b56cba84800
Resources Mentioned
Fit God’s Way 30-Day Transformation
If you’re tired of starting over and ready to learn how to put God first in your health, The Fit God’s Way 30-Day Transformation will help you build biblical habits that last.
Look at how these women’s lives were changed.
Share This Episode
If this episode spoke to your heart today, please share it with a friend who may need that same encouragement.
You can also help me reach more women by leaving a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Every review, comment, and share helps another woman find hope, healing, and encouragement through God’s Word.
Learn How to Walk With God Daily
So many women are exhausted from trying harder, doing more, and carrying things God never asked them to carry.
There is a better way.
God never called us to figure everything out on our own. He invites us to walk with Him one day, one step, and one surrender at a time.
If you want to learn the simple daily practice that has helped me put God first in my faith, health, and everyday life, join me for my free Daily Walk Workshop.
Watch now: http://kimdolanleto.com/dailywalk
Remember You are called, chosen, and set apart—and you were made to live God’s way.
With so much love,
